Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s unemployment rate held steady at 11.3 percent in October – one of the highest in the country.

And in a report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oregon ranked as one of the worst states in terms of food security – or, in simple terms, households that go hungry.

Ethan Lindsey reports on the unsurprising link between those two statistics – unemployment and hunger.

The stats show that over the past three years, more than 6 percent of Oregonians reported that they ate less for financial reasons.

And Oregon State University research says the real number is actually worse.

And yet, according to federal officials and the state, Oregon has one of the most-effective food stamp programs in the country.

So, why does the state rank second-worst, behind only Mississippi, in terms of ‘very low food security’?

Kevin Concannon is the U.S. undersecretary of food and nutrition services.

He, and other federal officials, point the finger at high unemployment.

Kevin Concannon: “That is one of the variables that puts people at risk, and makes it difficult, and makes it much more likely that you’ll be food insecure – or hungry.”

But researchers say while unemployment is a factor, the state has had high hunger rates even during boom times.

Mark Edwards is a sociology professor at OSU.

Mark Edwards: “Even ten years ago, we found that Oregon had high hunger rates, even among people who were working – and had full-time, year-round jobs. So there’s something else going on in Oregon that I suspect has to do with the cost of housing compared to the income people are bringing in.”

The USDA report says 17 million Americans cut back their eating because of finances. In Oregon, that number can be roughly estimated to be about 200,000 people.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says hunger is clearly evident at this time of year.

Tom VIlsack: “It is time for us to remember that, unfortunately, 49 million Americans may not be able to celebrate Thanksgiving in the way they ought to be able to celebrate it.”

And remember, this just-released report includes at least a year of data during the housing boom.

So Oregon’s hunger problems could get worse. The unemployment rate nationwide, and especially in Oregon, has gone up in 2009.